What about rights for women regarding pay, access to medical insurance, and the right to be treated as equals to their male counterparts in the military?

Introduction
Perhaps older than the Brown v. Board of Education decision regarding the issue of race have been those cases involving gender discrimination. They include cases like those involving Myra Bradwell who in 1873 was denied the right to practice law as shown in Chapter 14. The right to be treated with equality has been fought since the beginning of this country and continues today. Throughout much of the early history has been the key issue of the right to vote, which was denied to many women until the 19th Amendment was passed that allowed them to vote. Access to education has also been a key issue with women being denied access to the Virginia Military Institute until the Supreme Court stepped in and forced them to accept women. The issue of pay and equality in the workforce has been an ongoing issue with the Equal Rights Amendment’s failed passage. Through it all, women have fought for equal treatment in education, the workforce, and at home. The military has been an area until recently where only men could have combat roles, though today all areas are open to women. Yet, this brings up a different issue. While men are required to register for the draft, women are not. The question today for many is that now that women can have combat jobs, should they too be required to register for the draft like their male counterparts? How does one get around the stereotype of women versus men and the idea that they are not treated as equals in many areas of society? Men, however, have fought themselves as pointed out in Chapter 14 for equality in areas such as benefits as spouses of those in the military and in gaining access to women-only schools. Other areas not included in this chapter are the awarding of children to predominantly women. Also, what about women involved in same-sex marriages, how are they treated in areas of employment, medical benefits, housing, and children, to name a few? Today, while there have been many gains for women’s rights within the legal arena, there is still a significant way to go. How and where women should now be awarded more rights is the focus of this activity.

Activity Look at the issue of discrimination based upon one gender (or gender identity). How are women treated differently than men in work? Are they promoted at the same level? What about rights for women regarding pay, access to medical insurance, and the right to be treated as equals to their male counterparts in the military? Are there areas where there is still a clear need for improvements in their legal rights, and if so, how should they proceed to get those rights?
Write a research paper (2-3 pages) on why gender discrimination is still an issue in today’s world. Select and examine a recent Supreme Court decision based on the issue of gender discrimination and explain why it is still an issue today. What key issue continues to face the court system today regarding gender discrimination? (Chapter 14) In your paper, assess what you see as the implications this case in our Constitutional system has for our lives and the issue of gender discrimination in today’s world. As needed, be sure to draw upon your knowledge of the concepts, institutions, and officials who make up the branches of government as they have been presented in our resources for this and prior weeks.

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